Ralf gave his first paid public performance at the age of 14 years - in a youth big band playing Glenn Miller tunes at Clay Cross Miners Social Club, North-east Derbyshire. 

Since then he has played professionally in almost every type of ensemble and every type of music that you can think of.....classical orchestras, wind bands, brass ensembles, trombone quartets, early music groups, big bands, jazz bands, rock bands, funk bands, pop bands, avant garde bands, experimental music groups, theatre work, function bands, session work, improvised music groups....